Grenades fired near Macedonian government offices

SKOPJE, Aug 6 (Reuters) Two grenades were fired near the Macedonian government building overnight in what authorities today branded a ''terrorist attack.'' The projectiles, described as self-propelled grenades, landed around 100 metres (yards) from the building in downtown Skopje shortly after midnight, government spokesman Ivica Bocevski told a news conference.

''Last night the building of the Macedonian government was the target of a terrorist attack,'' Bocevski said, giving no indication as to who might have been behind the incident in which nobody was hurt.

The Balkan country has been largely peaceful since 2001 when Western diplomacy ended a seven-month insurgency by ethnic Albanian guerrillas seeking greater minority rights.

Around 25 per cent of Macedonia's 2 million people are ethnic Albanians. Tensions remain but there has been no serious threat to the capital since the conflict.

Police stepped up security at all state institutions after today's attack. Minor damage could be seen on the pavement across the road from the government building. Most government workers are on summer leave.

REUTERS AE RAI2044